The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) is an ongoing survey that provides vital information on a yearly basis about our nation and its people. Information from the survey generates data that help inform how trillions of dollars in federal funds are distributed each year.

Explore this page for resources researchers may find useful to understand and access ACS data, including training materials, webinars, and access to data and data tools.

ACS Data Topics for Researchers

The ACS produces population and housing data on over 40 different topics, many of which are regularly used for Congressional planning and funding projects. Examples of these subjects include:

Age; Sex
Ancestry
Commuting
Cost (Rent and Mortgage)
Educational Attainment and School Enrollment
Employment Status
Household Size and Type
Income & Earnings
Language Spoken at Home
Marital Status and History
Place of Birth and Migration
Poverty Status
Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin
Tenure (Owner/Renter) and Value of Home

Top ACS Resources

The ACS Handbook for Researchers provides valuable information and suggestions for researchers using ACS data. The ACS Data Tools and Resources Flyer showcases ways to access ACS data.

ACS Handbook for Researchers

Download Understanding and Using American Community Survey Data: What Researchers Need to Know [8.2 MB]

ACS Data Tools & Resources Flyer

American Community Survey Data Tools & Resources

Download American Community Survey Data Tools Flyer [<1.0 MB]

Data Resources

For researchers, finding the proper way to download data is critical. Review options for ACS data access and downloads.

Data Tool	Description	Additional Resources
data.census.gov	data.census.gov is the Census Bureau's main data dissemination platform.	What is data.census.gov?
Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)	The ACS PUMS files are a set of records from individual people or housing units, with disclosure protection enabled so that individuals or housing units cannot be identified. They enable data users to create custom estimates and tables, free of charge, that are not available through ACS pretabulated data products.	Handbook Introduction Webinar
Application Programming Interface (API)	The Census Bureau's Application Programming Interface (API) is a tool that you can use to access American Community Survey (ACS) data more efficiently. It reduces the need for data storage and provides users with a set of standard commands to easily access statistics that can be incorporated into their programs and applications.	Handbook Introduction Webinar
Summary File	The American Community Survey (ACS) Summary File is a unique data product that includes all estimates and margins of error (MOE) from the Detailed Tables for all geographies published for the ACS. The ACS Summary File allows data users to download statistics for a large number of tables and geographic areas.	Handbook Introduction Webinar

Comparing ACS Data

Discover the similarities and differences between the ACS and various Census Bureau programs.

Comparing ACS Data

Learn more about comparing the current American Community Survey estimates with the previous year, 2020 Census, 2010 Census, and 2000 Census by topic.

Webinar

Comparing Race and Ethnicity Data from the ACS and the 2020 Census

May 08, 2024

Dive into detailed race and ethnicity data from the American Community Survey (ACS) and the 2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics File (DHC).

Webinar

Comparing Health Insurance Data from the ACS and the SAHIE Program

March 13, 2024

Learn about two important Census Bureau programs providing health insurance data, the American Community Survey and the Small Area Health Insurance Estimates.

Webinar

Comparing the American Community Survey to the Household Pulse Survey

February 28, 2024

Learn about two important Census Bureau surveys collecting social and economic data on households, the American Community Survey and the Household Pulse Survey.

Webinar

Comparing the American Community Survey to the American Housing Survey

March 15, 2023

Learn about two important Census Bureau surveys covering housing data, the American Community Survey (ACS) and the American Housing Survey (AHS).

Webinar

Comparing the American Community Survey and Current Population Survey

March 30, 2022

Staff from the ACS and CPS go over the differences in methodology and data collection operations between each survey.

Webinar

Comparing the ACS and the Population Estimates Program

February 17, 2021

Learn about both the American Community Survey (ACS) and the Population Estimates Program (PEP), as well as the differences between each.

Additional Resources

Learn more about ACS data and data tools including useful training and examples of how ACS data are used in research.

American Community Survey Data

The American Community Survey releases new data every year, in the form of estimates, in a variety of tables, tools, and analytical reports.

Technical Documentation

Find information supporting the ACS data, including documentation for code lists, subject definitions, user notes, errata notes, PUMS, and Summary File.

Webinar

Best Practices When Using American Community Survey Data

January 17, 2024

Join us for a deeper dive into the American Community Survey (ACS) and learn best practices when using ACS data.

Webinar

Calculating Margins of Error the ACS Way

February 12, 2020

Learn how the American Community Survey (ACS) calculates margin of error (MOE) for estimates published on data.census.gov.

Publication

ACS Publications and Working Papers

Browse American Community Survey publications and working papers including ACS data briefs, ACS, Research & Evaluation, and Content Test Evaluation reports.

Design and Methodology Report

December 12, 2022

Learn more about the basic American Community Survey design and methodology through 2019.

Federal Statistical Research Data Centers

The Federal Statistical System Research Data Centers are partnerships between federal statistical agencies and leading research institutions.

ACS Data Collection Process

Are you interested in more information for respondents, such as how respondents are contacted, the data collection process, and the sample questionnaires?

Why We Ask Each Question

Explore why we ask each question on the American Community Survey and how the answers are used to help your community.

Sample ACS & PRCS Forms and Instructions

Browse sample American Community Survey questionnaires in English and Spanish with instruction guides - 1996 through present.

Respond to the ACS

Learn the different ways to respond to the American Community Survey -- online, by phone, by email. Read our FAQs or call us for more help with the survey.